NI PCI-8430/2 High-Performance 2-Port Serial interface (RS232)

The National Instruments PCI-8430/2 is a 2-port RS232 serial interface card for PCI systems. It delivers reliable serial communication in industrial, laboratory, and enterprise environments where multiple serial devices must be integrated into a single host computer. The card appears as standard COM ports in Windows and LabVIEW Real-Time systems, enabling direct compatibility with existing serial applications without custom driver development.

– Technical Specifications

• Interface Type: PCI (compatible with 3.3 V and 5 V slots)
• Number of Ports: 2
• Serial Protocol: RS232
• Maximum Data Transfer Rate: 1,000 kbits/s (RS232)
• Supported Baud Rates: 57 baud to 1,000,000 baud (standard and non-standard)
• Baud Rate Accuracy: ±1 percent
• FIFO Buffers: 128 B transmit and 128 B receive
• Connectors: Two RS232 serial ports
• Dimensions: 4.2 in. × 5.6 in.
• Weight: 0.19 lb

– Key Features

• Direct Memory Access (DMA) transfers reduce CPU overhead during high-speed serial operations
• Multiprocessor-compatible architecture supports hyperthreading and multicore systems
• Flexible baud rate configuration accommodates both standard protocols and custom serial specifications
• Standard COM port enumeration simplifies integration with existing Windows applications
• High-speed FIFO buffering (128 B) minimizes data loss during burst transfers

– Electrical Characteristics

• Optional optical isolation available up to 2000 V on select models for transient protection

– Compatibility & Integration

Operating Systems: Windows 7/Vista/XP/2000, LabVIEW Real-Time

Software Support: NI-VISA driver framework for simplified LabVIEW development

The card integrates directly into standard PCI slots without additional bridge hardware. Serial device configuration occurs through Windows COM port settings, eliminating the need for specialized setup utilities.